• A Drink Before the War

  • By: Dennis Lehane
  • Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
  • Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (1,786 ratings)

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A Drink Before the War  By  cover art

A Drink Before the War

By: Dennis Lehane
Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
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Publisher's summary

With novels like Mystic River and Shutter Island, Dennis Lehane has dramatically altered the landscape of the crime thriller—while boldly overstepping the boundaries that have long separated mystery from literature. Now two of his sensational early novels have been combined in a single volume—two gritty and mesmerizing masterworks of suspense featuring the private eye duo of Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro—brilliantly showcasing the unique voice and dark, exhilarating vision of a crime fiction phenomenon.

©1994 Dennis Lehane (P)2011 HarperCollinsPublishers

What listeners say about A Drink Before the War

Average customer ratings
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  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
  • R.
  • 07-23-13

Don't let the title fool you - It's a gang war....

Fairly good story and performance, but the title implies that the book is tied to military "War", not gang violence.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Edge of seat

Loved the story, and the narrator, the author wove a gripping story while tackling some of our greatest social problems

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Well written!

I really enjoyed this book a lot. Really well crafted story, compelling character development, interesting and unique. I got it on a sale, but it would be well worth a credit. I had never read anything by him and I immediately went looking for the next Lehane book to read!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Not as good as other Lehane

Having read most of other books by Lehane I'm a little disappointed in the story on this one. They did not have the element of surprise that other stories by him have an even go as far in depth as other stories.The performance was outstanding the story could've used a little bit more meat.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

incredible noir mystery

trenchcoats and cigarettes and cold Boston nights. noir mystery set in the 90s. a really a great listen, the narrator hits the Boston accent perfectly and the story keeps you on your toes. highly recommend

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great listen.

My first book by D. Lehane but I'll definitely be back for more. He has a rich & engaging writing style that keeps you wanting more. His use of PI partners keeps the action moving.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I've listened and read many times

I've loved this book since I was a kid and I read it listen to the series every year. it actually gets better with age

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

It was …..ok

The story line was not bad but it wasn’t amazing either. I was taken a back by the constant use of a particular derogatory word. I don’t understand why that word has to used to tell a story.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Meh

I found it slow. I don’t like the relationship between the two main characters. Although I was glad Angie “divorced” her husband

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Too much politics

The book is quite good, bordering on great.
It has everything going for it: tight plot, strong characters both good and bad, relationships, plot twists, etc.
Unfortunately, Lehane kinda spoils it by adding not just a pinch, but about a ton of politics into the mix. And where someone like Hammett managed to do that "on the sly", so that the reader swallows it without noticing, Lehane insists on filling page after page with it.

Still. A good book if you can look past that.

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